Eggplant is highly nutritious and known as the king of vegetables. However, you may wonder if eating eggplant during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby. Some people consider eggplants safe for consumption during pregnancy, while others consider them harmful. Since eggplants contain important nutrients for fetal development, pregnant women may consume them in small quantities. However, having eggplants in larger quantities may cause side effects in some women. Read this post for more details about the safety of eggplants during pregnancy, their benefits, ways to include them in your diet, and precautions you should take while consuming them.
Can You Eat Brinjal During Pregnancy?
Brinjal or eggplant may be eaten during pregnancy but in moderate quantities. It contains fiber, folate, and potassium that could be beneficial for fetal development (1). But you may have to avoid taking it frequently since it is believed to be a heat-producing food and could cause abortion (2).
Nutritional Profile Of Eggplant
Eggplant is low in saturated fats and cholesterol. It contains dietary fiber, vitamin K, thiamin, folate, pyridoxine, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. According to the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), about 100g of eggplant contains the following nutrients essential during pregnancy: The vitamin composition is around 0.039mg thiamin, 0.084 pyridoxine, 22mcg folate, and 3.5mcg vitamin K (1).
How Eggplant Might Be Beneficial During Pregnancy
Eggplant is nutritious and could provide the following health benefits. Despite its benefits, sometimes eggplant may not be the best vegetable to have during pregnancy. Let’s see why.
Reasons To Avoid Brinjal During Pregnancy
Ayurveda practitioners believe that you should avoid eggplant in excess quantities as it could have some side effects. However, there are no research studies to support most of the below claims.
Eggplant contains phytohormones that have menstruation-stimulating properties. Eating brinjal in excess amounts is believed to induce labor, write Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa and Michael Tierra in their book The way of Ayurvedic Herbs.
In areas where eggplants are cultivated, the soil is thought to contain toxoplasmosis that could pass to the pregnant woman and her baby through the vegetable. Toxoplasmosis could increase the risk of premature delivery. Image: Shutterstock
It may also trigger allergic reactions such as itchiness on the lips, arms, and legs, diarrhea, hives, stomach pain, and cough. Image: Shutterstock
Raw or undercooked brinjal may cause digestive issues and allergies (8).
Brinjals are better and tastier when cooked and eaten fresh. There are a few more things to consider while picking the veggie.
Things To Consider While Choosing Eggplant
Choose fresh eggplants as stale ones may ruin your meal.
Take the small eggplants as they are tastier and fresh. Mature ones turn bitter.
The skin should be smooth and shiny.
Avoid the ones that have cuts, blemishes, shriveling, wrinkles, or uneven color.
Eggplants with holes are likely to have worms – so check thoroughly and avoid them.
When you press the vegetable, if it forms depression, it means the eggplant is not fresh.
The stem should be bright green and firm.
Wash them thoroughly before you cook to avoid bacteria or parasites that may reside on the surface.
Cook the vegetable thoroughly as undercooked brinjal could lead to digestive problems.
Eggplant is one vegetable that can be cooked in multiple ways.
Ways To Include Eggplant In Your Pregnancy Diet
When eggplant is cooked properly, it could be really palatable. You can add it to your diet in many ways.
Stuff the brinjal with your favorite puree to make a curry and eat with rice.
Stir fry along with other vegetables. Image: Shutterstock
Cook as a filling for a sandwich.
Roast, peel, and serve over pasta or bread.
Bake and serve with other vegetables. Make pickles or add to soups.
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